RAMhttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/3149/all
enMorning Report: Apple Pay Limitations, No RAM Upgrade Path for 2014 Mac minihttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_apple_pay_limitations_no_ram_upgrade_path_2014_mac_mini
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/apple_pay_620px.png" alt="Apple Pay" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>In just a few short hours, iPhone 6 owners will be able to download iOS 8.1 and start using Apple Pay at retail stores — but before you head out to the store, there are a few limitations you should be aware of, as outlined in our Monday Morning Report. We've also got some bummer news about upgrading RAM in the new Mac mini (spoiler: you can't), and a unique solution for making eye contact while chatting on an iPad.</p><h3>Eddy Cue Tempers Expectations Ahead of Apple Pay Launch</h3><p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/apple-pay-rolls-out-with-holes-in-system-1413762943?tesla=y" target="_blank"><em>The Wall Street Journal</em> reported Sunday</a> that Apple Pay may not be a home run right out of the gate — despite nabbing the support of the six largest credit card issuers who handle 83 percent of all transactions and 500 banks on the way, the system has a few limitations Apple executives haven't talked about until now.<br /><br />Among them are a lack of support for corporate credit cards, prepaid debit cards, and store-branded cards — even those from launch partners like Macy's and Bloomingdale's. (A Macy's spokesman says support is coming "eventually.") But the biggest issue of them all may be the absence of near-field-communications-enabled point-of-sale terminals at retailers.<br /><br />“We’re trying to do something that I think is a game changer and it requires a lot of people to play together,” Apple senior vice president of Internet software and services Eddy Cue said in an interview. “There’s a lot to do here and we have a lot of work to do, but it should be huge.”<br /><br />Apple anticipates the largest share of initial Apple Pay transactions will come from in-app purchases, as well as those from web stores. The latest iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 models shipping this week can also take participate in such payments, but can't be used at retail stores, which is limited to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus for now.</p><h3>There's No Way to Upgrade RAM in Latest 2014 Mac mini</h3><p>Aside from the $100 price cut, Apple's late 2014 Mac mini upgrade appears to have brought more bad news than good, with Cupertino axing the build-to-order quad-core processor option and capping dual-drive storage options at 1TB. <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/10/17/mac-mini-soldered-ram/" target="_blank">According to MacRumors</a>, the biggest limitation of all might be the inability for owners to upgrade RAM on their own.<br /><a href="http://blog.macminicolo.net/post/100240431773/a-look-at-the-2014-mac-mini" target="_blank"><br />In a blog post on Macminicolo</a>, Brian Stucki confirms that RAM on the new units are "not user accessible" because Apple has soldered the memory to the motherboard. Users can upgrade to 16GB of RAM, but that option can only be done at the time of purchase. Users apparently will be able to replace or upgrade the hard drive in their late 2014 Mac mini, but at the risk of voiding the machine's warranty.</p><h3>iTOi Video Producer Brings Direct Eye Contact to iPad</h3><p>Video chat is great, but one big limitation is the absence of direct eye contact between users. The <a href="http://www.seeitoi.com/booth/" target="_blank">iTOi Video Booth</a> attempts to solve this problem with patented optical technology that makes it possible to look directly into the iPad camera while still being able to see who you're chatting with on the other end. Compatible with FaceTime, Skype, or Google Hangouts, the Video Booth can become a mini production suite with the free companion <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/itoi-producer/id788315707?mt=8" target="_blank">iTO Video Producer</a> app, which converts any iPad into a teleprompter. iTOi Video Booth is now available exclusively at Brookstone for $149.99.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_apple_pay_limitations_no_ram_upgrade_path_2014_mac_mini#commentsNewsApple PayBrookstoneinstallationiOS 8.1iphone 6iTOiMac minimobile paymentsMorning ReportRAMRetail StoresVideo BoothiPadiPhoneMacMon, 20 Oct 2014 12:34:05 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20816 at http://www.maclife.comApple Rumored to Bump 'iPad Air 2' Up to 2GB of RAMhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_rumored_bump_ipad_air_2_2gb_ram
<!--paging_filter--><p>Rumors about the iPhone 6 have flowed like water over the last couple of weeks, but we've heard comparatively little about the so-called "iPad Air 2." That changed today with a report from Taiwan's <a href="http://technews.tw/2014/08/20/ipad-air-has-2gb-memory/" target="_blank">TechNews.tw</a> (via <a href="http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/ipad/ipad-air2-2-gb-ram-iwatch-8gb-storage/" target="_blank">iPhoneInCanada</a>), which states that the upcoming tablet will get a memory boost to 2GB, up from the current 1GB.</p><p>Expecting the same kind of boost for the iPad mini with Retina display? It's not happening. According to the report, the next iteration of the diminutive unit will still only support 1GB of RAM. <a href="http://www.cultofmac.com/282961/ios-8-hiding-split-screen-app-mode-code/" target="_blank">Cult of Mac</a> suggests that the memory boost for the iPad Air 2 might allow for a rumored split-screen multitasking feature in iOS 8.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2014/08/ipadair.jpg" width="620" height="354" /></p><p>The news marks a welcome addition to the comparatively small list of credible rumors associated with the upcoming tablet. So far, it's generally thought that the tablet's next generation will sport a home button that supports Touch ID along with a faster A8 processor.</p><p>It's likely that we won't hear an official announcement concerning the device during the rumored media event on September 9, as Apple has lately started holding off iPad announcements for a followup event in October.</p><p>For now, if you want to get your hands on a current iPad Air, you'd do well to take advantage of Best Buy's one-day sale for the device, which knocks<a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-ipad-air-with-wi-fi-16gb-silver-white/2579045.p?id=1219074892314&amp;skuId=2579045&amp;ref=199&amp;loc=SnlbqrT3b2s&amp;acampID=1&amp;siteID=SnlbqrT3b2s-ukvqacEC9ppeke4MhiNHYw" target="_blank"> $75 off </a>of the<a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-ipad-air-with-wi-fi-cellular-128gb-verizon-wireless-silver-white/7574058.p?id=1218858779485&amp;skuId=7574058&amp;ref=199&amp;loc=SnlbqrT3b2s&amp;acampID=1&amp;siteID=SnlbqrT3b2s-2Bjlr9zIJloPPu.IXGDm_Q" target="_blank"> thin tablet</a>. Act now, though. The sale only lasts through today.</p><p><em>Follow this article's writer, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_rumored_bump_ipad_air_2_2gb_ram#commentsNewsiPadRAMRumorsspeculationThu, 21 Aug 2014 00:08:05 +0000Leif Johnson20506 at http://www.maclife.comMorning Report: iPhone 6 Battery Leaks, Apple Commercial Emmy, Xiaomi Copycathttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_iphone_6_battery_leaks_apple_commercial_emmy_xiaomi_copycat
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u332541/2014/08/batterie-iphone-6-final-620.png" alt="Misunderstood TV commercial" width="620" height="713" /></p><p>Apple executives have good reason to celebrate today after landing an Emmy for the company's 2013 holiday commercial, which seems to offer some vindication from recent criticisms of Cupertino's latest marketing efforts. The iPhone 6 also makes another appearance in today's Morning Report, along with a known Apple copycat striking again with its latest mobile OS.</p><h3>Latest iPhone 6 Rumors: Larger Battery Capacity, 1GB RAM</h3><p>MacRumors spent the weekend digging up further details on Apple's forthcoming iPhone 6, <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/08/15/apparent-5-5-inch-iphone6-battery/" target="_blank">starting Friday evening</a> with <a href=" https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&amp;tl=en&amp;js=y&amp;prev=_t&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macotakara.jp%2Fblog%2Frumor%2Fentry-24325.html&amp;edit-text=&amp;act=url" target="_blank">a photo from Macotakara</a> allegedly revealing a 2,915mAh battery pack intended for the 5.5-inch model and featuring the Apple part number 616-0675. The external markings line up against previous battery packs from the iPhone, suggesting Cupertino could trump the capacity of its closest rival, Samsung's Galaxy S5, which uses a 2,800mAh battery.<br /><br />On Saturday morning, <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/08/16/more-1810-mah-iphone-6-batteries/" target="_blank">MacRumors followed up</a> that report with <a href=" http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.nowhereelse.fr/iphone-6-batterie-1810mah-confirme-100326/&amp;hl=en&amp;langpair=auto|en&amp;tbb=1&amp;ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">another from Nowhereelse.fr</a> offering a look at 1,810mAh and 2,100mAh batteries reportedly intended for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, although it's unclear which of the capacities Apple might actually wind up using. Last week, an analyst claimed the company would utilize a 2,100mAh battery pack, so the photographic evidence would seem to support this.<br /><br />Last but not least, <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/08/18/iphone6-schematic-1gb-ram/" target="_blank">MacRumors reported early Monday</a> (via <a href="http://www.gforgames.com/gadgets/iphone-6-will-feature-1gb-ram-44826/" target="_blank">G for Games</a>) that a newly leaked schematic from Chinese repair firm GeekBar appears to confirm the iPhone 6 will come with 1GB of RAM, although it's unclear whether the schematic is from the rumored 5.5-inch model or the more traditional 4.7-inch model. 1GB wouldn't exactly be a surprise, given the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and even iPhone 5c all come with the same amount of RAM, even as Android rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8) have doubled that amount to 2GB.</p><h3>Apple Scores Emmy Award for "Misunderstood" Commercial</h3><p><a href="http://9to5mac.com/2014/08/17/apple-wins-2014-outstanding-commercial-emmy-award-for-misunderstood-holiday-ad/" target="_blank">9to5Mac reported Sunday</a> that Apple's 2013 holiday television spot "Misunderstood" landed a Creative Arts Emmy Award for "most outstanding commercial." The spot, cooked up by the minds at TBWA\Media Arts Lab and produced by Park Pictures, shows a teenager using his iPhone 5s to film and edit a family holiday movie, which is then presented to everyone on an Apple TV via AirPlay.<br /><br />Apple faced some pretty stiff competition from the likes of GE ("Childlike Imagination"), Budweiser ("A Hero's Welcome" and "Puppy Love"), and Nike ("Possibilities"). The 2014 Emmy Awards ceremony will be televised on August 25.</p><h3>Xiaomi Fires Up Apple Copier Again for Latest Android Skin</h3><p><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/18/xiaomis-new-miui-6-wont-help-it-fend-off-copycat-accusations/" target="_blank">TechCrunch today reported</a> that Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has just given a pretty significant nod toward Apple's iOS 7 with its latest operating system release. MIUI 6 is actually a reskinned version of Android described as having "iOS 7-like flat icons and gradient rainbow colors," but the comparison goes beyond icons and borders on a flat-out ripoff when it comes to preloaded apps including calendar, compass, and calculator, which all bear more than a passing resemblance to Apple's own software.<br /><br />Former Google executive Hugo Barra and now Xiaomi global VP recently defended his company's aping of Apple, which also included the use of the Aperture icon in a Photoshopped product shot, a mistake Barra blamed on a lazy designer.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p><em>(Image from&nbsp;nowhereelse.fr)</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_iphone_6_battery_leaks_apple_commercial_emmy_xiaomi_copycat#commentsNewsApple CommercialsBatteriescopycatsEmmyiphone 6iphone 6 rumorsMisunderstoodMorning ReportRAMXiaomiiPhoneMon, 18 Aug 2014 12:31:42 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20491 at http://www.maclife.comTranscend's New Memory Sticks Double Mac Pro's Max Memory to 128GBhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/transcends_new_memory_sticks_double_mac_pros_max_memory_128gb
<!--paging_filter--><p>Love the new Mac Pro but concerned that it's not dishing out quite enough power? Transcend has some good news for you. As of today, the memory manufacturer has <a href="http://www.transcend-info.com/Press/index.asp?LangNo=0&amp;Func1No=6&amp;Func2No=219&amp;Func3No=55&amp;axn=Detail&amp;PrsNo=10559" target="_blank">announced the release</a> of a new set of high-density DDR3 RDIMM RAM modules that bump up the Mac Pro's memory to an impressive 128GB.</p><p>That's actually double what Apple claims is the maximum amount of supportable memory on the Apple Store. The Mac Pro is already powerful without the Transcend's memory, of course, but the new 32GB components cater to users who need their machines performing at top speeds. To reach the 64GB advertised by Apple, you need to use four 16GB sticks of RAM.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2014/03/mac-pro.jpg" width="620" height="409" /></p><p>"The new Mac Pro 2013 is advertised to support up to 64GB of memory, and we understand that pro users running applications that place high demands on RAM have a need to meet and most likely exceed this threshold," said Angus Wu, Transcend's director of research and development . "For this reason, we have developed and fully tested higher density modules to give users the option of raising their Mac Pro system memory to the advertised 64GB right up to 128GB."</p><p>Transcend says that its 16GB DDR3-1866 and 32GB DDR3-1333 RDIMM are both 100 percent compatible with Apple's new Mac Pro, and if you're not happy with them, the company even offers a lifetime warranty for both products. Here's the catch--there's currently no word on the price, but it'll likely be a doozy.</p><p><em>Follow this article's writer,<a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">&nbsp;Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/transcends_new_memory_sticks_double_mac_pros_max_memory_128gb#commentsNewsapplecomputerdesktopMacmemoryRAMspeedFri, 14 Mar 2014 23:47:39 +0000Leif Johnson19559 at http://www.maclife.comHow to Diagnose a Slow Mac Using Activity Monitorhttp://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_diagnose_slow_mac_using_activity_monitor
<!--paging_filter--><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">I’ve had an iMac for over five years, upgrading to Snow Leopard about four months ago. My drive is only about one-third full. Recently, I started noticing that when I open files, they wouldn’t open for 15–20 seconds, or would beach ball while waiting. I’ve restarted and run Disk Utility, but to no avail.&nbsp;</span></p><p>When applications are loading at a slow pace, there can be a number of factors contributing to the pokiness. One of the first places you’ll want to check is Activity Monitor (located in the Applications &gt; Utilities folder). This application can be used to check the vital signs of your system’s performance while it’s running.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u330237/2013/04/activity_monitor_620.png" /><strong>The System Memory tab of Activity Monitor will give you an overview of the free and used memory in your system.</strong></p><p>With all of the applications you typically have open remaining open, click on the “System Memory” section. If you have little to no “Free” memory (or the Free memory is below a few hundred megabytes), or have Swap Used, then you’ll want to consider getting more RAM for your system. If swap space is used, then this means that your computer has run out of physical memory and is using a portion of your hard drive as temporary storage space. This will lead to longer wait times, as your hard drive is the slowest part of your machine, and whenever the computer has to store or retrieve data from it, you’ll have longer wait times.&nbsp;</p><p>Next, check the CPU usage. If your “% User” is substantially high (say, always above 50%), then you may have applications running that are using more system resources than needed. Consider closing unused or unneeded applications. You can also use the Process drop-down menu to select “My Processes.” Check the list to see if any unused processes are currently running. If they are, consider closing them.&nbsp;</p><p>Finally, check to ensure that all users have logged off your system (if you have a multi-user Mac). With multiple users logged in, your system’s resources will be taxed more than with just a single user.</p><p><strong>GOT A TECH QUESTION OR A HELPFUL TIP TO SHARE?</strong></p><p>Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ask@maclife.com" target="_blank">ask@maclife.com</a>&nbsp;or write to Mac|Life,&nbsp;<br />4000 Shoreline Ct, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_diagnose_slow_mac_using_activity_monitor#commentsActivity MonitorCPU usageRAMslow MacspeedFeaturesMacHow-TosFri, 19 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000Cory Bohon16770 at http://www.maclife.comNew 21.5-inch iMac Sacrifices RAM Upgrades for Thinness http://www.maclife.com/article/news/new_215inch_imac_sacrifices_ram_upgrades_thinness
<!--paging_filter--><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u323900/newimac.jpg" alt="New iMac" /></p><p>Today was an exciting day for Apple enthusiasts, as the company revealed the iPad mini, a new Mac mini, and an awfully gorgeous new iMac line-up. But as is so often the case with technology, innovations in overall size can mean the loss of features. Apparently, the 21.5-inch iMac doesn't contain easily switchable RAM slots.</p><p><a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_special_event_live_blog" target="_blank">During today's event</a>, Apple showed off <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_announces_thinnest_imac_ever_fusion_drive_starting_1299" target="_blank">an almost impossibly thin iMac</a>. Seriously, it's amazing what Cupertino is cramming behind that beautiful glass display. The new iMacs -- in 21.5-inch and 27-inch varieties -- are shipping in November and December.</p><p>But as noted by <a href="http://www.cultofmac.com/197623/new-21-inch-imac-wont-let-users-upgrade-ram-themselves-but-27-inch-imac-will/" target="_blank">Cult of Mac</a>, the 21.5-inch iMac doesn't feature upgradeable RAM. The smaller model comes with a standard 8GB of DDR3, and is configurable up to 16GB. The 27-inch model, however, features four "user-accessible" SO-DIMM slots. Again, 8GB is standard on the 27-inch model, but it's configurable up to 32GB.</p><p>Clearly, the 27-inch model can hold the extra RAM access, thanks to an additional 5.5 inches of internal space.&nbsp;</p><p>While this may not sound like too big a deal to the casual user, iMac owners seeking to extend the life of their iMac -- in terms of power -- will likely do well to consider the 27-inch model; especially since Apple yet again failed to reboot the Mac Pro line, today (bummer).&nbsp;</p><p>As we previously noted, both of the new iMac models drop the optical drive all-together -- another consequence of the thinner display. If you're the type of person who still requires the occasional disc, probably a good idea to grab an external SuperDrive. &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><em>Follow this article's author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/clarkmatt" target="_blank">Matt Clark on Twitter</a>.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/new_215inch_imac_sacrifices_ram_upgrades_thinness#commentsNewsiMaciMac thinner displayiMac upgradesnew iMacproduct specsRAMTue, 23 Oct 2012 21:02:19 +0000Matt Clark15407 at http://www.maclife.comTerminal 101: Managing Memory in Mountain Lionhttp://www.maclife.com/article/columns/terminal_101_managing_memory_mountain_lion
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u12635/terminal_101_teaser_24.png" width="150" height="150" class="graphic-right" /><em>Every Monday, we'll show you how to do something new and simple with Apple's built-in command line application. You don't need any fancy software, or a knowledge of coding to do any of these. All you need is a keyboard to type 'em out!</em><br /><br />Keeping an eye on your Mac’s memory usage can bes vital for making your applications run faster and eliminate those that eat away at your virtual memory. You can do this right from within Terminal without any specialized apps using various commands.</p><h3>Top</h3><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/mem_1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/mem_1.png" width="620" height="435" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>To view the amount of memory that you have free and are currently using, open the Terminal and type “top” followed by the enter key. This top command will return a few rows near the top of the Terminal window. Look for the “PhysMem” and “VM” rows. <br /><br />In the “PhysMem” row, you can see how much memory is wired, active, inactive, used, and free. This is measured in gigabytes (“G”), megabytes (“M”), or kilobytes (“K”). PhysMem refers to the physical memory installed in your Machine; however, “VM” refers to the virtual memory that is allocated on your disk whenever your Mac runs out of physical memory. “VSIZE” indicates the amount of virtual memory OS X has assigned for processes or applications. <br /><br />Once you are finished looking at the information provided by the top command, press the Q key to quit back to the command prompt.</p><h3>Purge</h3><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/mem_2.png"><img src="/files/u12635/mem_2.png" width="620" height="435" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>While OS X has really good memory management, it’s not perfect. Sometimes RAM can be held in the “inactive” state, even when no longer needed. To free up some of your RAM for availability, try the “purge” command in the Terminal.<br /><br />If you monitor your “Free,” “Used,” and “Inactive” memory stats before and after the purge, you will find dramatic changes. In addition to your physical memory, this command will also relieve disk and memory caches to be emptied. This command gives you the same benefits of rebooting, except your applications can stay running. <br /><br />If you are a power user who uses applications that can occasionally hog disk and memory resources, then running this command can make your Mac feel more responsive. <br /><br /><em>Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. Follow this article's author, <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Cory Bohon on Twitter</a>.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/terminal_101_managing_memory_mountain_lion#commentsColumnsfree memoryMacMemory ManagementOS XpurgeRAMTerminalTerminal 101topVirtual MemoryMacMon, 20 Aug 2012 17:15:19 +0000Cory Bohon14846 at http://www.maclife.comLearn Everything There Is to Know About your Mac http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/learn_everything_there_know_about_your_mac
<!--paging_filter--><p>The updated MacBook Pros are rumored to be on the horizon and there's the probability that you may want to do some spring cleaning or get rid of your old Mac entirely. But, and as the case with many aging computers, you may have forgotten what exactly is under the hood of your Mac. Well, read on and we'll show you how to find out!</p><h3>Know your Mac</h3><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2012/Online/MacFormatHowTos/aboutthismac.jpg" width="305" height="375" /></p><p>Click on the  menu at the top-left of your screen. Select About This Mac and a window appears giving you vital statistics about your version of Mac OS X, how much RAM you have and how much memory is fitted.</p><h3>More Info</h3><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2012/Online/MacFormatHowTos/systemprofiler2.jpg" width="573" height="400" /></p><p>Click on the More Info button in this window to open the System Profiler. From the contents on the left, scroll to Memory. Select it and the window will display how much RAM you have and if you have any free slots.</p><h3>Serial-ATA</h3><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2012/Online/MacFormatHowTos/systemprofiler3.jpg" width="473" height="400" /></p><p>Move to Serial-ATA and select it. If your Mac is older it may be called ATA. This shows what hard drive you have and its capacity. Use the name of the connection type to determine what type of upgrade drive you need.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/learn_everything_there_know_about_your_mac#commentsAbout This MacRAMSerial-ATAsystem profilerMacHow-TosMon, 14 May 2012 21:02:54 +0000Hollin Jones13909 at http://www.maclife.comWe’ve Got Your New iPad Unboxing Right Here, Benchmarks Confirm 1GB RAMhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/we%E2%80%99ve_got_your_new_ipad_unboxing_right_here_benchmarks_confirm_1gb_ram
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/new_ipad_geekbench_test_200px.png" alt="Geekbench test for the new iPad" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />It’s new iPad week, and that means the rush is on to grab the first unboxing video, followed soon after by the first actual delivery and so on. You can check that unboxing video off your list -- a new 16GB iPad with 4G LTE has already surfaced in Vietnam, but there’s not a whole lot to see.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/03/13/first_unboxing_video_of_apples_new_ipad_surfaces_from_vietnam.html" target="_blank">AppleInsider is reporting</a> that the first new iPad in the wild has not only been spotted, but <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&amp;tl=en&amp;js=n&amp;prev=_t&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;layout=2&amp;eotf=1&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tinhte.vn%2Fthreads%2F1139243%2F" target="_blank">thoroughly documented in an unboxing video courtesy of Vietnamese website Tinh.te</a>. Spoiler: It’s pretty much just like the iPad 2, “but is somewhat heavier and thicker” with a nicer display. Did you expect something else?<br /><br />The video embedded below shows a 16GB Wi-Fi + 4G model being unboxed, which appears to be pretty much the same packaging from the iPad 2. There’s one notable difference, however: The camera lens on the new iPad is much larger than the one found on last year’s model, as you can see from the video when they are held side-by-side.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/03/13/benchmarks_of_apples_new_ipad_confirm_1gb_of_ram_same_cpu_speed.html" target="_blank">Tinh.te also ran a Geekbench test on their new iPad</a>, which is displayed with the “iPad3,3” designation running iOS 5.1. If you were secretly hoping that the new iPad’s A5X processor would arrive running faster than the iPad 2, we’re sorry to disappoint -- the clock speed is 1GHz, which is identical to the previous model.<br /><br />However, the Geekbench test did confirm speculation about how much RAM is included with the new iPad, and it has indeed been doubled to 1GB -- which should certainly help those quad-core graphics fly and make jumping between apps quite smooth, we’d think.<br /><br />We’re sure to see more of these unboxing videos pop up in the next few days, and you’ll even get a chance to make your own come Friday -- though by then everyone will be too busy playing with their own to care.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a><br /><br />(Image and video courtesy of AppleInsider)<br /></em></p><p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9FCm_ggEhPQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/we%E2%80%99ve_got_your_new_ipad_unboxing_right_here_benchmarks_confirm_1gb_ram#commentsNews1GBGeekbenchiPad 2iPad retina displayRAMThe New iPadUnboxingVietnamWi-Fi Plus 4GiPadTue, 13 Mar 2012 13:30:12 +0000J.R. Bookwalter13528 at http://www.maclife.comReport: The New iPad is Packing 1GB of RAMhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_new_ipad_packing_1gb_ram
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/a5x_processor_200px.png" alt="A5X processor" width="200" height="149" class="graphic-right" />Apple rarely plays the specs game, particularly when it comes to its iOS devices. Sure, you’ll get a name for the processor and they’ll boast about pixels when it suits them, but talk about RAM or clock speed and there’s radio silence. However, according to one source, the iPad’s dirty little secret is its ever-increasing RAM usage.<br /><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/7/2853448/sources-apple-new-ipad-makes-leap-1gb-of-ram" target="_blank"><br />The Verge is reporting</a> that “the new iPad” -- you know, the one with that amazing new Retina Display -- may very well be shipping with a full 1GB of RAM to assist that swanky new A5X processor with quad-core graphics and 2048x1536 screen. So what’s the big deal? It seems the iPad is doubling its RAM usage with each new model, according to sources.<br /><br />“Sources have informed us that Apple's latest has indeed received an upgrade in that area as well, and will ship with 1GB of RAM -- double that of its predecessor,” the report reveals. “Cupertino has consistently tried to avoid playing the specifications game with the iPad and iPhone; the products have almost always shipped with memory and horsepower that were considered below the norm for their respective times, with the original iPad featuring just 256MB of RAM.”<br /><br />256MB to 1GB of RAM in three generations is hardly a surprise, especially considering what the new iPad is capable of compared to the original model introduced in 2010. But it is a good indication that the iPad will eventually face many of the same problems that desktop computers have -- as apps get larger and more capable, they’ll need a bigger pool of random access memory to swim around in.<br /><br />You can bet that there will be a teardown of the new iPad on or around March 16, and then we’ll probably all know for sure what the third-generation tablet is packing.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_new_ipad_packing_1gb_ram#commentsNews1GBA5xiOSmemoryprocessorRAMretina displayRumorsTeardownThe New iPadupgradeiPadThu, 08 Mar 2012 14:19:12 +0000J.R. Bookwalter13495 at http://www.maclife.comHow to Quickly Upgrade Your MacBook Pro Without Buying a New Onehttp://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_quickly_upgrade_your_macbook_pro_without_buying_new_one
<!--paging_filter--><p>You know the symptoms: applications don’t open as fast as they used to, and you always seem to be running out of space on your hard drive. It’s painful to admit, but your MacBook Pro that was so shiny a year ago may finally be showing its age. But you don’t have to put your faithful companion out to pasture––or make another $2,000 trip to the Apple Store––just yet. Save those pennies while you work (and play) more productively by upgrading your MacBook Pro yourself.<br /><br />It’s easier to do than you might think, due in part to the fact that we MacBook Pro owners don’t have nearly as many options as our pals with Mac Pros. In fact, our upgrade paths boil down to adding RAM and swapping out the current hard drive. Yet these upgrades can deliver serious performance gains, and thanks to Cupertino’s design sense, they’re relatively painless, too. Still, as with any major alteration to your Mac, don’t forget to back up your data before you get started.</p><h3>Add More RAM</h3><p>More RAM lets your Mac handle memory-intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, and running multiple applications simultaneously. Adding as much RAM as possible helps keep your Mac ready for these tasks for years to come, but you don’t necessarily need to install as much as your machine will hold. Even an extra gigabyte or two over your current configuration may be enough to make a difference in day-to-day use.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2011/Online/ram-pic.jpg" width="620" height="367" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>More RAM means a mightier, multi-tasking Mac.</strong></p><p>For step-by-step instructions about finding out how much RAM you have, where to buy it, and how to open up your MacBook Pro and finally do the deed, <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_swap_out_ram_unibody_macbook_pro#slide-10" target="_blank">check out our handy how-to</a>.</p><h3>Install a New Hard Drive</h3><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2011/Online/hdd-pic.jpg" width="400" height="400" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>A higher-capacity HDD can breathe new life into your not-quite-old MacBook Pro.</strong></p><p>A bigger hard disk drive (or HDD) means more room for songs, movies, apps, and documents. When shopping for a new HDD, remember that MacBook Pros use 2.5-inch SATA drives that run at 5400 or 7200 RPM. These speeds determine how quickly data can be read from, and written to, the drive (the more revolutions per minute, the faster your drive). The vendors mentioned in our RAM installation guide also make great sources for hard drives, and the documentation that came with your computer has information about how to install them. If your manual is someplace at the bottom of a drawer like ours, <a href="http://support.apple.com/manuals/#macbookpro" target="_blank">here’s a link to Apple’s manuals</a> for the entire MacBook Pro line.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2011/Online/ssd-pic.jpg" width="348" height="480" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SSD drives cost more than conventional drives, but their speed benefits can be worth it.</strong></p><p>But if you have a need for speed as well as storage, consider installing a solid-state drive (or SSD) instead. These drives use flash memory that has no moving parts, just like a MacBook Air, so data can be read from them even faster––even up to twice as fast as a conventional drive. If that sounds like a good deal, we don’t blame you. In fact, <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_install_ssd_unibody_macbook_pro" target="_blank">we’ve put together a how-to</a> that will help you choose an SSD and install it while preserving your current data.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_quickly_upgrade_your_macbook_pro_without_buying_new_one#commentshddhddsMacBookmacbook proMacBook ProsRAMSSDssdsMacHow-TosWed, 02 Nov 2011 12:02:54 +0000Adam Berenstain12745 at http://www.maclife.comFree App Friday: Monitor That!http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/free_app_friday_monitor
<!--paging_filter--><p>Nothing is worse in life than when you feel like you don't have any control over your electronic devices. Yeah, when the iPhone is flashing on and off and your MacBook just won't start up, you might be thinking that it's too late to really save it. A great way to prevent this from happening is to monitor your devices with free apps that can tell you what's going on under the hood. And thus...</p><h3><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cell-minutes-pro/id464067817?mt=8" target="_blank">Cell Phone Minutes</a></h3><p><img src="/files/u53/2011/10/screen_shot_2011-10-14_at_11.16.57_am.png" width="318" height="479" /></p><p>With data no longer unlimited, and the rising costs of talk time, you might have cut back on your cell phone bill to save a little bit of money. However, trimming the bill also means that you'll have to change your habits. No more late night phone calls with your lady, or the psychic who keeps claiming you'll hit the jackpot soon, and you'll have to keep track of your conversations with Cell Phone Minutes. This free app keeps track of the talk time of your last call and lets you input the limit specific to your own contract. Stop paying those overage fees!</p><h3><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freememory/id460931672?mt=12" target="_blank">FreeMemory</a></h3><h3><img src="/files/u53/2011/10/screen_shot_2011-10-14_at_11.19.36_am.png" width="536" height="165" /></h3><p>Ugh. I have to tell you, my biggest gripe in life is that I never have enough RAM. In my MacBook Pro, I am definitely lacking. With only 4GB worth of memory and a Core i7 processor fueling Lion, I sometimes feel like I'm computing in the Ice Age. Yeah, when Mastadons and Saber-toothe Tigers were clocking in memory at 512MB. But the best way to get around this is to figure out what's hogging all of those resources, and when it's the worst time to fire up RAM-intensive Steam games. <br /><br />FreeMemory lives up in your MenuBar and can be launched at login or from Launchpad. It gives you detailed stats of what's going on with your RAM, and flashes red when your Mac is having a slow down. Like it's not already apparent from how everything stops loading for a second. Sigh.</p><h3><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/miniusage/id416285394?mt=12" target="_blank">Mini Usage</a></h3><p><img src="/files/u53/2011/10/screen_shot_2011-10-14_at_11.37.22_am.png" width="599" height="183" /></p><p>This is a really fantastic free application that basically simplifies all those confusing numbers in Activity Monitor.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/free_app_friday_monitor#commentsActivity MonitorApp StoreAppsColumnsfree app fridayfree appsfree softwaremac app storememory usageRAMiPhoneMacFri, 14 Oct 2011 18:49:37 +0000Florence Ion12636 at http://www.maclife.comWhy's My Mac Slow?http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/whys_my_mac_slow
<!--paging_filter--><p><strong>My Mac is running so slowly, and I don’t know why.</strong><br /><br />Seeing beach balls? Don’t get your eyes checked. Activity Monitor (Applications/Utilities) shows all the currently running applications and processes, updating in real time. Click the %CPU column to see how much of your Mac’s processor capacity is being chomped up by each process at any given moment. <br /><br />The processes with app icons next to them should be recognizable as applications. If your CPU hog turns out to be iPhoto importing pics or iTunes syncing your iPhone, just wait until it’s done. But if it’s an app you’re not even using, go ahead and quit it, either from the Dock or by selecting it in Activity Monitor and clicking Quit Process. A dialog will offer to Quit or Force Quit; quitting is better unless the app is unresponsive.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2011/11/AppleMD/activity-monitor.jpg" width="620" height="433" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Firefox hogs a lot of CPU power playing Flash videos, and that Visualizer in iTunes does too.</strong></p><p>Processes with no little icons and less-recognizable names are background processes, and you shouldn’t go quitting them willy-nilly—never quit anything until you know what it is. Instead, Google its name to figure out what it does. For example, if your external Time Machine drive is being indexed by Spotlight with the process mds, mds will use a ton of your CPU while Time Machine is working. Don’t quit the mds process; instead, exclude that drive from Spotlight indexing (System Preferences &gt; Spotlight &gt; Privacy).<br /><br />If you notice that iTunes is using the lion’s share of your CPU because you’re rocking out with the Visualizer on, turn off the Visualizer (Command-T). If your browser has a million tabs open and you’re playing Flash videos, either close most of the tabs or cut way back on CPU-hogging Flash usage with a blocker like ClickToFlash on Safari or FlashBlock for Firefox. If you’re a YouTube junkie, visit <a href="http://youtube.com/html5" target="_blank">youtube.com/html5</a> to join the HTML5 trial and view available videos that way.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u307916/2011/11/AppleMD/ram-graph.jpg" width="620" height="150" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Activity Monitor shows that out of our Mac’s 4GB of RAM, a little over half is active. So we’re okay.</strong></p><p>Back in Activity Monitor, you’ll notice some graphs at the bottom. Click the System Memory tab and check out how much of your RAM you’re using. If the yellow part of the pie chart (Active RAM) is almost the whole graph, consider adding more RAM.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/whys_my_mac_slow#commentsApple MDbad RAMRAMslowslow downMacHow-TosTue, 11 Oct 2011 21:27:55 +0000The Mac|Life Staff12519 at http://www.maclife.comIn Case You Missed It: Aug 14 - Aug 20http://www.maclife.com/article/features/case_you_missed_it_aug_14_aug_20
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="article/news/case_you_missed_it_aug_14_aug_20"><img src="/files/u53/2011/08/lionnn.jpg" alt="lion" /></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As the summer winds down, rumor season winds up. We can't say that enough. Expect it: fast, furious, leaks, photos (legit and 'shopped), whispers, unnamed staffers, broken NDAs. It's gonna get hot out there with a new iOS and likely a new handset to go with it. But, Apple's always got a trick or two up its sleeve, so what else is cooking in the long slow summer burn?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Features:</h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- <a href="http://bit.ly/n5SU6f">The Essential Guide to OS X Lion</a> - So, did the biggest cat of all change everything? Welllll, yes and no. If you were to look at the OS on the surface, you'd see a few cosmetic changes, &nbsp;but under the hood it's all raw power and newness. So, what's it all about? We're not National Geographic, but we got up close and personal with this megakitty to give you the latest scoop, Mac|Life style.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u307916/2011/10/liontruths/photo-booth.jpg" alt="phtobooth" width="620" height="388" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- <a href="http://bit.ly/pdlgi1">RAM Off!: A Guide To Buying Mac Memory</a> - More memory equals more power, and that's pretty much the law of computers. But remember your Mac is a finicky beast and you may just want to have a gander at this indepth guide to how to pick up the best deals on RAM to be found anywhere. It'll be like adding turbocharge power to your older machines.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Reviews:</h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- <a href="http://bit.ly/qja8mr">McTiVia Wireless Mac-to-TV Connection Review</a> - We love this as an idea, but when the manual said it worked better with cables, we wondered what the heck we were paying $200 for when we could just slap some HDMI cables to our Mac and run them to our TV. But, if you think rocking out the big big big screen without all that cable clutter is the way to go, then McTiVia is the way to go.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u124583/scrabble5.png" alt="scrabble landscape" width="600" height="450" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- <a href="http://bit.ly/oqMyZl">App Showdown: Scrabblish Games</a> - Who doesn't love a good word game? And who doesn't like their iOS devices? And lastly, who isn't on Facebook? With all three of these coming together, you can rock out the Scrabble or, if you so desire, you can kick it Words With Friends style. Which one lexicalizes the hardest? Let's have a look see, shall we?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>How-Tos:</h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- <a href="http://bit.ly/q17A1h">80 OS X Lion Features You May Have Overlooked</a> - Remember all those features we were discussing up above? Well, we picked out 80 cool ones we think you might just miss in all the hullaballoo.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u124583/29_-_ical_gestures.jpg" alt="ical" width="576" height="324" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- <a href="http://bit.ly/ovcphm">How To Use Your iPhone as a Storage Device</a> - It's happened to all of us. You get to work or school and reach into your bag for that flash drive you saved all the files to and -- boom -- your mind's eye rushes all the way along your commute, through your front door, into the computer room, and to the back of your desktop, where you left it plugged in. You know what you don't forget to bring with you? Your iPhone. Here's a slick little tip that'll let you mac out your iOS devices as wireless flash drives.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/features/case_you_missed_it_aug_14_aug_20#commentsNewsReviewsGoodReaderMcTiViaOS X LionRAMScrabblewords with friendsFeaturesiPadiPhoneiPodMacTop StoriesHow-TosSun, 21 Aug 2011 16:02:35 +0000J Keirn-Swanson12032 at http://www.maclife.comRAM Off!: A Guide To Buying Mac Memoryhttp://www.maclife.com/article/features/ram_guide_buying_mac_memory
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/stacks_of_ram_chips_620px.jpg" alt="Stacks of RAM memory chips" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>It goes without saying that the more memory your Mac has access to, the smoother it will run. This is particularly true in the age of 64-bit operating systems like OS X Lion and apps that can take advantage of all available RAM you can throw at it. But do you know where to find the best deals on memory, and does it make sense to pay more?<br /><br />For many Mac owners, buying extra memory with a new system is as simple as clicking an extra box in the build-to-order section while checking out at the Apple Online Store. After all, it’s fast and convenient -- your Mac will arrive with extra RAM already installed and ready to work, no muss, no fuss.<br /><br />However, longtime computer users know that Apple isn’t exactly the best bargain in town when it comes to memory (that’s putting it mildly -- see below), and as Toni Tennille used to sing to The Captain, “You better shop around.” So without further ado, let’s take a look at how and where to make your next RAM purchase.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/about_this_mac_16gb_installed.jpeg" alt="About This Mac OS X Lion" width="586" height="326" /></p><h3>What Kind of RAM Do I Need?</h3><p>Finding out what type of RAM you’ll need to buy is the easy part. Head to the Apple menu on any Mac OS X system, select About This Mac and click “More Info.” For systems running OS X Lion, you’ll see a new tab for Memory like the one above, which shows exactly how much RAM you have installed, what kind your system takes and how many slots are available or in use. There’s even a handy “Memory Upgrade Instructions” link that opens an Apple support document in your default browser to walk you through the process.</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/imac_system_profiler_memory_620px.jpg" alt="iMac System Profiler memory" width="620" height="300" /><br /><br />For pre-Lion Mac OS X versions, the “More Info” button leads straight to the classic System Profiler shown above -- in the sidebar is a section for Hardware and about midway down you’ll find a “Memory” option which will display the specs for each piece of memory installed, including where it resides, how big it is and what type and speed you’ll need. Make a note of these before you continue.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/apple_imac_tech_specs_memory_620px.jpg" alt="Apple iMac Tech Specs page" width="620" height="300" /></p><h3>How Much RAM Can I Handle?</h3><p>If you have a recent Mac still sold by Apple, you can usually head to the web page for that specific model and click on the “Tech Specs” link -- under “Processor and memory” you’ll usually find the maximum amount of RAM supported for that model. For example, the current 27-inch iMac with Thunderbolt comes standard with 4GB of RAM but is capable of supporting up to 16GB of 1333MHz DDR3 memory using its four slots (two of which are already used, but can be swapped out).</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/crucial_mac_system_scanner_complete_620px.jpg" alt="Crucial Mac System Scanner complete" width="620" height="300" /><br /><br />While most RAM vendors offer online tools for determining what kind of memory you’ll need, the easiest way to get answers is by using a free System Scanner provided by <a href="http://www.crucial.com/" target="_blank">Crucial</a>, one of the leading providers of RAM and solid-state drives for computers. <a href="http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/MacOS.aspx" target="_blank">Download the tiny Crucial System Scanner</a>, double-click to launch it and your browser will open with complete details on how much memory you can install. The tool even provides you with an immediate price quote if you want to buy it straight away.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/elixir_ram_sticks_620px.jpg" alt="RAM memory" width="620" height="300" /></p><h3>Does It Matter What Kind I Buy?</h3><p>Longtime Mac users have probably had a run-in with bad RAM at some point in their storied history with Apple computers. Older Macs in particular were often notoriously finicky about the quality of memory used, but keep in mind that as processors have gotten faster and components have shrunk in size, today’s Macs can be even less forgiving about cheap, poor quality RAM -- which is more likely to cause problems ranging from kernel panics and application crashes to potential data corruption.<br /><br />The important thing to remember is to match the RAM’s speed with what your specific model is asking for. Using memory faster than your computer can handle won’t help make the system any faster -- assuming it recognizes the RAM at all.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/amazon.com_ram_620px.jpg" alt="Amazon.com memory listings" width="620" height="300" /></p><h3>Where Can I Buy RAM?</h3><p>Because computers are so entrenched in our everyday lives, you can buy memory for them just about anywhere these days -- even retail giants like Walmart offer RAM upgrades on their website (you won’t be able to walk in and grab them, unfortunately). Locally, your best bet is usually the nearby Best Buy, although you should brace yourself for a slim selection and inflated prices. Smaller computer shops in your area might also be able to help, but there’s no doubt that buying online is the best choice.<br /><br />While there’s an almost limitless choice of options for buying RAM online, it’s worth a stop at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/PC-Memory-Computer-Add-Ons-Computers/b/ref=amb_link_37889822_19?ie=UTF8&amp;node=172503&amp;tag=mledit-20" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> first, especially if you have an annual $79 Amazon Prime membership. That elite club will net you free two-day shipping with no sales tax in most areas, and those savings can often be significant since many e-tailers pad “shipping and handling” costs to make up for slim profit margins on many products. Amazon doesn’t make it easy to find what you’re looking for, but their prices can often be worth the trouble.<br /><br />Bargains can also be had with online resellers such as <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.newegg.com/" target="_blank">NewEgg</a> or <a href="http://frys.com/" target="_blank">Fry’s</a>, but neither of them get high marks for being friendly to Mac users, since they cater mostly to DIY PC users favoring Microsoft Windows or Linux. That said, both sites are worth a quick stop while researching RAM prices as long as you know in advance what you’re looking for, and their daily deals mean you might turn up a real bargain now and again.</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/ebay_imac_ram_listings_620px.jpg" alt="eBay iMac RAM listings" width="620" height="300" /><br /><br />On any given day, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ebay.com/" target="_blank">eBay</a> offers a huge supply of memory from sellers small and large, but you’ll want to approach with caution. There are plenty of third-rate component suppliers from the Far East and plenty of sellers with lower scruples who care little about over-promising and under-delivering. Even if you manage to get your money back for bad RAM, the headache may not be worth it. Check a seller’s feedback carefully and when in doubt, research the memory you’re considering buying via Google, Bing or Yahoo. It also pays to fire off an email to the seller with any questions -- the faster they reply with helpful answers, the more legitimate they often are.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/crucial_system_scanner_results_620px.jpg" alt="Crucial System Scanner results" width="620" height="300" /></p><h3>Buying Online from RAM Specialists</h3><p>When it comes to buying RAM online, the vendors who make it their business to specialize in such hardware are usually easy to spot. Most of them make available a variety of online tools to make sure you find exactly the right memory for your system, with frequently updated databases culled from every computer maker under the sun. Thankfully, long gone are the dark days when finding Mac RAM was often a challenge.<br /><br />Even though our own 27-inch 2.93GHz Core i7 iMac from mid-2010 is already maxed out at 16GB of RAM, we decided to look at a handful of online vendors to see who has the best deal at this writing -- including Apple’s own build-to-order option.<br /><br />The aforementioned <a href="http://www.crucial.com/" target="_blank">Crucial</a> is often considered one of the better places for buying RAM upgrades, if only because they historically specialize in memory, although their selection has expanded in recent years to include solid-state storage and other accessories as well. Crucial offers an 8GB Kit (each with two 4GB modules) for our iMac for $59.99, so we’re looking at a mere $126.88 out the door (shipping is free, plus $6.90 for sales tax) for a total of four 4GB modules.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.macsales.com/" target="_blank">Other World Computing</a> is a popular Mac-centric choice for buying hard drives, optical drives, memory and other accessories and being based in Illinois, they’re often a good choice for those living in the Midwest or on the East Coast if time is of the essence. However, in our case, 16GB of iMac RAM worked out to $147.94 including $1.95 “SuperSaver” shipping (sales tax wasn’t applicable in this case) -- making Crucial a better bet by more than 20 bucks.<br /><br />Another Mac-friendly Illinois vendor is <a href="http://www.ramjet.com/" target="_blank">Ramjet</a>, a longtime memory source with a lifetime warranty. Unfortunately, they weren’t a great value for our iMac, with the same 16GB option priced at a whopping $299.99 plus $7.99 for UPS “Economy” shipping. However, keep in mind that RAM prices fluctuate and many vendors offer their best deals on smaller size chips since they tend to be more common.<br /><br />Finally, hopping back on the budget bandwagon, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.datamemorysystems.com/" target="_blank">Data Memory Systems (DMS)</a> worked out to only $144 with free shipping and no sales tax from New Hampshire, making it our second best option at this time.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/apple_16gb_for_600_620px.jpg" alt="Apple.com 16GB RAM for $600" width="620" height="300" /></p><h3>Apple.com: Sticker Shock!</h3><p>By now you’re probably wondering just how bad could Apple’s own RAM prices be after seeing how wide-ranging a memory upgrade can be purchased for elsewhere. While our mid-2010 iMac isn’t available new anymore, we priced a 16GB RAM upgrade as part of a build-to-order option for a comparable 27-inch 3.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7.<br /><br />Are you sitting down? The 16GB RAM upgrade -- which is the exact same 1333Mhz DDR3 SDRAM used by our 2010 model -- would cost an additional $600 when purchased direct from Apple. Given that installing your own RAM only takes a few moments and almost no technical skills, would you save more than $450 by buying from the likes of Crucial and doing it yourself? We thought so…<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/features/ram_guide_buying_mac_memory#commentsAbout This MacApple Online Storeinstalling more memorymemoryOS X LionRAMsystem informationFeaturesMacHow-TosThu, 18 Aug 2011 21:10:21 +0000J.R. Bookwalter12083 at http://www.maclife.com